Rensselaer County District Attorney Richard J. McNally Jr. easily won the Democratic nomination for State Supreme Court justice Friday, but competing a Democrat says he'll stay in the race on a third-party line.

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"I'm going to stay in the race and campaign as hard as I can," said Duggan, who emphasized strong union support and experience on the bench.

Earlier this month, Republicans held their judicial convention to select Carol Donnelly Stevens, the Green County attorney. Democrats outnumber Republicans 216,059 to 142,957 in the district which covers Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Ulster, Schoharie and Sullivan counties.

Duggan's candidacy could draw votes away from McNally.

"If he wants to stay in the race as a minor party candidate, I'm not sure he would amount to anything more than a spoiler," Rensselaer County Democratic Chairman Thomas Wade said.

Wade carefully guided McNally's candidacy through the judicial nominating process. He nominated McNally, who was seconded by Albany County Democratic Chairman Matthew Clyne.

Duggan who said the tradition was to nominated an experienced judge, cited his ties to the Democratic Party and support from unions.